Was wondering if anyone has had any success antler rattling? For me, so far this season rattling has been a disappointment. A spike and a basket 10. Don't know if it's the weather,(so warm) or my timing. In past years, by this time I had all kinds of action. Hopefully, things are yet to come.

Rattling has been hit and miss so far this year on my property. We have 3 nice 130 to 145 class bucks but none of them has responded to the horns. Like you all we've had is a pretty 6 point come in to the challenge. The weather has been awful here so i'm guessing its just that taking its toll at the moment. I've only seen a hand full of does that have come into heat around here and the ones that are have a buck on them tight. This week the weather is supposed to get a bit more stable so hopefully it'll get the deer moving and getting aggressive.

Charlie I think all your deer are on your wall, you might need to give your place a timeout ! lol[:)]

ORIGINAL: charlie 01

Was wondering if anyone has had any success antler rattling? For me, so far this season rattling has been a disappointment. A spike and a basket 10. Don't know if it's the weather,(so warm) or my timing. In past years, by this time I had all kinds of action. Hopefully, things are yet to come.

Charlie I think all your deer are on your wall, you might need to give your place a timeout ! lol[:)]

ORIGINAL: charlie 01

Was wondering if anyone has had any success antler rattling? For me, so far this season rattling has been a disappointment. A spike and a basket 10. Don't know if it's the weather,(so warm) or my timing. In past years, by this time I had all kinds of action. Hopefully, things are yet to come.

I have had quite a bitof success rattling and havebeen at for about 35-years. Early in the year, when thebucks are still in bachelor groups is one of my best times. Of course, during that period, I am lightly sparring. One thing to keep in mind, you probably only see 50% of the bucks that respond and the older they are, the less likely you are to see one.

Hey, you guys seem to know a lot about rattling so if you don't mind I'd appreciate it if could answer some of my questions. First when do you guys rattle, or does it matter, pre-rut, rut, secondary rut? Also I live in Northern Vermont and the deer we have around here are small, our does greatly outnumber bucks, and there are few deer to begin with. In these type of conditions is it still worth rattling or will it just scare off more pressured, smaller, timid bucks?

axforbes wrote:Hey, you guys seem to know a lot about rattling so if you don't mind I'd appreciate it if could answer some of my questions. First when do you guys rattle, or does it matter, pre-rut, rut, secondary rut? Also I live in Northern Vermont and the deer we have around here are small, our does greatly outnumber bucks, and there are few deer to begin with. In these type of conditions is it still worth rattling or will it just scare off more pressured, smaller, timid bucks?

Do you hunt big woods? I would recommend reading a couple books on big woods deer hunting. It's very different from deer hunting that you see on tv or hear most guys speak of. I would be tracking in the snow, or getting near clear cuts or swamps when it's dry ground. Big woods has lower deer numbers, sitting in one spot you will see very few deer. If I were you I would hone my skills at tracking, stalking, still hunting and keying in on buck bedding areas. I wouldn't bother investing too much time rattling or sitting in the woods. There are some real big bucks where you hunt, don't kid yourself.

Bucks usually sort out their pecking order in the summer months. Rattling works best where doe populations aren't over abundant and you have mature bucks on your property. Grunting and doe bleats have always worked better for me.